The total value of food donated to Croatian charities in 2018 was 9.9 million kuna (€1.3 million) without VAT, a drop of nearly 1 million kuna from the year before. At the same time, estimates say some 380,000 tonnes of food get thrown away every year, mostly by households.

The data, collected by the country’s tax authority, was released in the run up to the 2nd annual Najdonator award, scheduled for early next month in Brussels, when the most generous donating company will be bestowed with the award, launched to incentivise companies and individuals to donate food and reduce food waste.

In 2017, the total value of donated food was 10.7 million kuna (€1.4 million), with retail chain Konzum and major dairy producer Dukat winning the award.

The initiative is supported by Croatian MEP Biljana Borzan, who will bestow the 2018 award in Brussels on April 3, along with the local food charity Mreza Hrane.